Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the RFO to agree the Annual Governance statement.

In line with The Accounts & Audit (England) Regulations 2015.To receive and consider the Annual Governance & Accountability Return for 2024/25.

The Council received the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) concerning the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) 2024/25 under its obligations of the Accounts & Audit (England) Regulations 2015 

The RFO gave a verbal explanation of each question comprising Section 1, Regarding Question 4 following debate a vote was taken on answering “yes” to the question as members believed that by the Council advertising the publication of the AGAR and Internal Audit information for one day longer than required by the legislation in both 2023 & 2024 it had indeed provided proper opportunity to the electorate. The result of the vote being seven in favour with one abstention.

It was therefore agreed that questions 1 to 8 be answered “yes” and question 9 answered  “Not Applicable” in Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement and that the statement be agreed and recommended for signing at the meeting of the Council later that evening. All Members were in agreement.

It was further agreed that the Accounting Statement which formed section 2 be recommended to Full Council for agreement and adoption. All Members were in favour.

The RFO advised that the remainder of the report was for information; Section 3 would be submitted to the External Auditor with supporting information and would be an analytical review concentrating on variances year on year, or above a certain percentage. The general public would have the right to inspectthe documents which would be published following adoption.

The Leader of the Council thanked officers, particularly the RFO for their diligence in presenting the information in such an understandable format.

Recommended:     

1.      That, the report and verbal updates be noted and,

2.      That, the Annual Governance Statement at Section 1 of the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2025 be approved, and formally adopted by the Council and,

3.      That, the Statement of Accounts at Section 2 of the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2025 be approved, and formally adopted by the Council and,

4.      That, in light of the above the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) for 2024/25 be formally agreed and adopted by the Council.